"The young master has arrived!" Everyone turned their heads towards the entrance of the palace where the announcement had come from.
Nobles who have already arrived started to gather as soon as they heard the title of Pier Belmiunde.
Of course, those who first went to the entrance were the crown prince, the second prince, the young duke and his younger brother.
They all were anticipating the young master's arrival.
Especially for the second prince who was jumping up and down while trying to look over the walls.
"B-Brother, can you lift me up?" He asked. Asher chuckled as he lifted Nicholas and carried him on his arms.
"It had been a long time since I've seen good brother! I can't wait until I get to play with him." Gage also spoke as his eyes sparkled and clenched his hand in an excited manner.
"Me too! I can't wait to play the piano with my wife!" Nicholas seconded; a huge grin was on his face.
The older brothers of the two could not help but shook their heads at the words their siblings had said.
Slowly, more and more people started to gather behind them but not close enough to the vicinity of the four. They were the most regarded individuals in the kingdom so it would be unpleasant if they were to upset the royals and the duke's children by being close to them.
"The young master? I can't wait to see him!"
"I know! I've heard that the suit he was wearing and his coat were matching each other perfectly!"
"Goodness! How can his fashion sense be so well-versed?"
There were many whispers at the back and Asher was trying to stop himself from telling them to keep quiet.
It was nice hearing that people were now actually acknowledging Pier but it felt all to superficial.
However, he cannot either because he knew he was the same as those nobles who were speaking well of the young master.
Pier now had altered his entire image within the kingdom. People left and right, nobles or commoners, all were now seeing him as someone to be regarded with respect and admiration.
He had many titles being pinned on his name.
A successor
A hero
A combined genius and prodigy
Not to mention his fashion sense along with the unique designs were all spreading in the different kingdoms and empires.
It was as if Pier now had the qualifications of becoming an emperor himself.
Asher was proud and at the same time, regretful.
His moon was shining so bright that other stars could not stare at him directly.
His moon was doing so well that even the world he had in the previous years was starting to look in its way.
However, the moon was no longer his. The moon that illuminated the entire skies no longer depended on his warmth.
The whispers continued to reverberate around the palace when the knights guarding the entrance raised their swords in the air and performed their salutes.
One by one, the anticipated members of the House of Masters arrived.
First were the twins, Redon and Richard.
They both wore matching gray suits and dark winter coats. Attached on their sides were the swords that they owned and they both had smiling faces.
They were the twins from the House of Masters who were the center of talks back in the previous months.
Their handsome features that they got from the Headmaster himself were making the ladies squeal in the thought of having a relationship with them and men were getting envious of the attention.
Once Redon and Richard arrived at the palace's main hall, they both bowed their heads and placed their hands behind them as a sign of respect for the royals and the dukes.
"We greet the future sun of the kingdom, his highness the crown prince" They first spoke to Asher since he had the highest title and importance within the group.
"We also greet his highness, the second prince. It is our pleasure to meet you" Followed by Nicholas.
They then turned their heads towards Raphael and they stopped for a moment as they were in awe of the young duke's demeanor.
"We greet his grace, the young duke of the Sentinio Duchy. We are grateful to have met you again, Sir Raphael" The young duke smiled and acknowledged their greetings.
Raphael was a well-known swordsman in the kingdom.
If Asher was known not just as the Crown Prince but also the soon to be youngest sword master in the entire Eastern Continent, Raphael was the second in name.
News of his works within the kingdom's borders were highly praised by everyone, including the twins from the House of Masters.
Lastly, they both greeted the young duke's sibling.
"Greetings, Lord Gage. We are also glad to see you attend the gathering of the Winter Nights Festival." Gage gave them a grin and shook the twins' hands.
Small talks started within the group as nobles were trying to converse with the twins. Richard was smiling as he started to converse with Raphael about his journey on the kingdom's borders and Redon was also conversing with the prince in regards with his works in the kingdom.
They looked like the typical group within high society where other nobles could not easily approach.
"Where is my wife?" Nicholas asked the two and they both stared at each other.
"Wife...?" Richard asked as he seemed to forget the conversation Pier had with the crown prince just earlier this morning.
"My brother-"
But Redon did not even get to finish his sentence as the whispers around them died down.
That's when they all knew who arrived at the palace's entrance.
"He's here." Redon spoke in realization once a red carpet was laid out on the ground and a person riding on a white horse was seen getting down from the animal.
People stared in awe at the scenario.
Snow fell down from the skies and into the already coated ground. Even amidst the snow, they still made sure to lay the red carpet out in order to meet the young master.
Raphael and Asher both felt anticipation appear in their chests as Pier started to make his way inside the palace.
The young master's white hair was swaying along as a cold breeze kissed his face. His porcelain skin that everyone could not stop thinking about seemed to glow under the zephyr.
Pier had a small smile on his face as the cold winter winds were making him feel giddy.
His white fur coat melted along with the surrounding's hue but his black suit made it clear that he was indeed wearing it.
"Wow." A single word was heard by everyone and they all agreed with it.
Pier Belmiunde himself did not have the same hair color nor had the same manly features as the other members of the House of Masters had.
Instead, he had his own charm that people could not ignore.
He possessed an enchanting beauty that no gender could resist.
Raphael knew that the moment he saw Pier get down from his horse like a prince from the books, he had to take the chance of pursuing Pier.
It was just like when he saw Pier get down from his carriage back at the time of the Royal Banquet. Pier's allure that surpassed everyone else's was making him feel many emotions.
Once Pier arrived at the palace's main hall, people were silent as they all observed him.
Feeling awkward with the stares, Pier gave them a small smile and made his way towards where his brothers were.
"Greetings, your highness." He spoke and Asher flinched when he realized Pier was right in front of him.
"G-Greetings, Young Master. You look as beautiful as ever." Asher complimented and Pier lightly laughed at it.
"Wife!" He then turned his head to the child sitting on Asher's arms.
"Your highness! You are looking really cute today!" Pier cooed as he lowed his head and patted Nicholas' hair. The child blushed as he nuzzled his cheeks on Pier's hands.
"C-Can you carry me, wife?" He asked and Pier chuckled before looking back at Asher. The prince did not hesitate as he allowed Nicholas to get in Pier's arms too.
"You're growing up, your highness." Pier stated as Nicholas seemed heavier than what he remembered last time.
"Pier..." A seemingly breathless voice spoke behind him and Pier saw who it was.
"Sir Raphael!" He smiled widely as he saw the same auburn hair that accompanied him throughout his early days in the kingdom.
Raphael also smiled back as he offered his hand which Pier gladly accepted.
He brought the young master's hand on his lips and kissed the back of it.
'Oh.' Pier thought as he observed Raphael.
The young duke's face was also red.
He then saw the silent Gage in Raphael's arms.
"Gage." Pier called gently and Gage nodded his head and reached his arm out, wanting Pier to carry him.
Retrieving his hand back, Pier also asked permission from the young duke first before he carried Raphael's younger brother in his arms.
Of course, Raphael agreed.
Once the children were settled in his arms, Pier started to talk with them, fully ignoring the prince and the young duke.
"You need to wear thicker clothes, your highness. The weather outside is freezing!" Pier spoke as he walked towards inside the palace.
The other nobles all were left standing in their places as Pier and the children's image got smaller.
'That's it?'
---
"Pier!" Raphael called as he ran towards the young master who was feeding the two children.
"Yes, young duke?" Nobles were walking left and right, wandering inside the palace that only a few can visit on regular days.
"How are you?" He asked as he sat beside Pier.
He wanted to hug Pier but there were children in his arms so Raphael simply sat beside him.
"I have been doing well, Raph." Pier responded as he gave Gage a grape.
"That's good to hear, I was worried about the news I've heard while I was at the borders!" Pier smiled warmly as he heard Raphael's words.
He was always worried about him. The last time they had a proper conversation was more than a month ago when Pier returned.
"You don't need to fret over me, Raph. I can handle myself." Pier chuckled as he patted Nicholas' hair.
The two children in his arms were quietly munching on the fruits.
"How about you, Raph? Guarding the borders must have been hard" He asked while handing Raphael an apple.
Raphael stared at the apple in his hands before he smiled widely and gave a little laugh.
"It was hard but I did manage to come through. The House of Masters' forces were quite formidable as they defended very well!" He acknowledged and Pier was in awe.
"I'd like to see the borders along with our forces too." He wished and Raphael's eyes sparkled.
"We can go there after the winter!" He suggested and Pier nodded his head.
"That would be nice. I'll look forward to it if I do get the time." Pier responded and the two were left conversing with each other.
Asher stared from a distance away as Pier and the young duke talked with each other.
The unpleasant feeling coursing through his body.
The moment he saw Raphael kiss Pier's hands earlier, he felt the need to separate the two.
"Your highness, are you unwell?" Elena asked as she was the last person to arrive in the palace.
"Yes, my lady." The prince responded as he continued to drift his gaze at the sight.
Elena had a worried look as Asher was giving her short and curt responses. Asher never gave her a divided attention.
She also looked where the prince was looking and found that Asher was staring at the young master and the young duke.
'Is there something his highness wants from them?' She asked herself.
"I'd like to converse with the young duke and the young master. Is it okay for us to go and talk with them, your highness?" She asked; trying to find out the reason why Asher had been staring at them since the time she arrived.
Responding to the lady's request, Asher nodded his head as he got up from his seat.
Nobles made way for the Marquis' daughter and the Crown Prince as the two walked. They looked extremely good, that was undeniable.
Elena was one of the most beautiful women in the kingdom while Asher was also the counterpart.
People were in awe as the two made their way in the direction Pier and Raphael were talking.
"Oh my, if it isn't the young duke!" She called out from a distance and hurried her steps.
The heels of her shoes were clacking on the ground.
"Ah, Lady Elena." Raphael spoke his greetings as he stood up from the seat to properly greet her.
"Greetings, Lady Elena" Pier spoke shortly and gave her a smile.
However, Pier remained in his seat as Nicholas and Gage were both sitting on his lap. The second prince was already drifting off to dreamland with how his eyes were closing.
Elena eyed Pier with a questioning look but the young master did not even spare her another glance as he continued to talk with the children.
Asher was also quiet beside her.
"How have you been, my lady?" Raphael asked and Elena brought back her beautiful smile while trying to converse with the duke.
"I have been good, your grace. You are such a gentleman for even standing up to greet me!" She said in a pleased manner while giving Pier side glances.
"Haha! I'm glad I am a gentleman in your eyes, my lady" Raphael responded but Pier still kept quiet.
Elena's eyebrow could not help itself as it raised while looking at Pier's direction.
"How about you young master? Why won't you stand up to greet me?" She asked out of the blue which stunned the young duke and the prince.
"My lady-"
But before Asher could interfere, a voice spoke up.
"Because he doesn't want to, duh" Gage rolled his eyes as he leaned his head on Pier's chest.
"Gage!" Raphael's eyes widened when he heard his younger brother's remarks.
"Older brother, the lady has to know that not everyone could stand up while having two children sit in their lap." He continued and the other nobles who heard the remark started to gather around them.
Pier on the other hand was bowing his head, trying to contain the laughter in his throat.
He never knew Raphael's younger brother could speak like this. He was baffled with how Gage immediately responded and he was actually making sense.
"I'm sorry for not standing up, my lady. His highness is currently sleeping in my arms and I could not afford to wake him up." Pier responded as he caressed Nicholas' hair.
"Please pardon my rude behavior" he spoke with a pitiful looking smile which made Elena's face even brighter red.
And at that very short moment, all eyes were on Elena.
Nobles who gathered behind them were giving her stares.
"Your highness, I must retire to my chambers now for I am tired after the long trip." Pier spoke as he eyed Nicholas.
Asher nodded his head as he went to grab Nicholas and the child stirred in his sleep.
"N-No... w-wife..." He called while tiredly opening his eyes and reaching out for Pier.
"The young master will rest now. You can play with him again tomorrow" Asher cooed as he rocked the second prince gently.
Gage also stood up and went to stand beside Raphael.
When Pier finally had the liberty to stand up, he did so and stood in front of Elena.
"It seems the lady is quite impatient. His highness would be displeased if he was awake" Pier spoke and the other nobles started to agree with him.
"How about taking some etiquette classes again, my lady?" Pier asked as he started to walk towards the direction of his assigned chambers.
"The lady really asked the young master to stand up while having Prince Nicholas in his arms!"
"I know! She did not even bow before the hero!"
"That's right! She should be the one to bow before him!"
"I would be ashamed if I were in the lady's shoes."
"Agreed!" A faint laughter was heard in the background and Elena was frozen in her place.
She turned her head towards Asher but the prince was also staring at Pier's retreating figure.
Her gaze drifted towards the child in Asher's arm and she flinched when she saw that Nicholas was staring at her with a displeased look.
Raphael and Gage started to walk away from the scenario since Pier was no longer in the room either.
"The lady should know her place!" The faint remark by Gage from a distance was heard by everyone and they all silently agreed.
"Don't try making a scene next time, my lady. It disturbs the atmosphere." Asher sighed as he held Nicholas in his arms securely before walking back to his seat.